The Pocari Sweat franchise finally made it to a Finals series after taking down the Bali Pure Purest Water Defenders in a do-or-die Game Three, 15-23, 25-23, 25-11, 25-23, in the Shakey’s V-League Open Conference semifinals at the PhilSports Arena.
Bali Pure came out of the gates guns ablaze, serving strong and pounding their attacks. The Purest Water Defenders erected a 16-7 lead and never looked back. Pocari came to their senses in the second set, playing better overall defense, but were still hampered by errors. The frame came down to a crucial deuce in which Lutgarda Malaluan came to Pocari’s rescue, blocking Alyssa Valdez then Kiwi Ahomiro for the set-clinching points.
With one fell swoop, Pocari decisively grabbed the third set. With a slim 11-9 lead, Myla Pablo sparked a 9-0 run with a block on Dzi Gervacio then a beautiful floating drop. Bali Pure managed just two more points for the rest of the set. The Water Defenders clung to a three-point lead until Pablo bolstered another 4-0 run that handed Pocari the lead, 16-15. Smart floor defense and attacking allowed Bali Pure to creep into a 19-16 lead, but Pablo again mustered a game-tying 3-0 run. From there, both teams traded blows until Rossan Fajardo came in, served two aces, and handed a 23-21 lead to Pocari Sweat. From there, Elaine Kasilag pounded home two straight kills to take the match.
“Malaking factor ‘yung health ng mga players namin. Sobrang thankful namin na finally naging healthy kami or at least na-overcome namin ‘yung health problems namin,” said Pocari head coach Rommel Abella, referring to the multitude of injuries to their key players.
Pocari’s smash sisters did most of the damage, with Myla Pablo tallying a season-high 26 points. Elaine Kasilag turning in 21 markers, while Michele Gumabao added 15 points.
Pocari will now face the Air Force Jet Spikers in the Finals, a team they lost to in the elimination round.
“Malakas na team talaga ang Air Force. Siguro preparation lang and malaking bagay na makakapagpahinga kami ng matagal ngayon,” Abell said about the match-up with the Jet Spikers.
NCAA MVP Grethcel Soltones led Bali Pure with 19 points. Three-time UAAP MVP Alyssa Valdez added 15 points.
The Finals begins on Wednesday, July 13 at the PhilSports Arena in Pasig City.
The Scores
Pocari Sweat (3) – Pablo 26, Kasilag 21, Gumabao 15, Malaluan 4, Dadang 3, Fajardo 2, Sy 0, Baliton 0, Gohing (L)
Bali Pure (1) – Sotones 19, Valdez 15, Ahomiro 13, Marciano 5, Gervacio 4, Ferrer 2, Tajima 1, Bello 0, De Jesus 0, Lazaro (L)
